Movies like Snake in the Crane's Shadow (1978)
The best movies like Snake in the Crane's Shadow (1978) are Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Flamingo Road (1949) and Legend of the Demon Cat (2017). If Snake in the Crane's Shadow hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedNew Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021)8.0/10 from 541 votes
- NewestPortal to Hell (2025)Released 2025
- In ChineseLegend of the Demon Cat (2017)Also in Chinese
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFlamingo Road (1949)
A stranded carnival dancer takes on a corrupt political boss when she marries into small-town society.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLegend of the Demon Cat (2017)
During the Late Tang Dynasty, a manor is invaded by a demon cat and a sense of unrest befalls the capital of Changan. A poet is charged with investigating the case and meets up with a monk. The two work together and pull apart the thread of clues to reveal a history of truths leading to the events.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTwo Moon Junction (1988)
A young Southern débutante temporarily abandons her posh lifestyle and upcoming, semi-arranged marriage to have a lustful and erotic fling with a rugged drifter who works at a local carnival.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Four 3 (2014)
The reputation of the Four constables survives, but since Emotionless’s departure, there have been changes at the Divine Constabulary. The four Coldblood, Iron Hands, Life Snatcher, rescue Zhuge Zhengwo from An Yunshan’s mountain fortress, then with the Emperor and Di armies, they attack. But An Yunshan absorbs their power, which means the constables and their allies now face their most lethal opponent yet, a nearly invincible kung fu master who won’t stop until he has absolute power...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNew Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021)
While living as an ordinary deliveryman and motor racing fan, Nezha encounters old nemeses and must rediscover his powers to protect his loved ones.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Grudge (2004)
An American nurse living and working in Tokyo is exposed to a mysterious supernatural curse, one that locks a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisBuddha Mountain (2011)
In Chengdu, China, a retired female opera singer named Master Chang takes in a trio of young tenants into her boarding home. The tenants include a rock singer and a college student who has run away from home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUntamed Heart (1993)
Caroline, a young waitress who seems to have bad taste in men, is on her way home one night when thugs attempt to rape her. Adam, the mysterious busboy who works at the same diner, helps fight off the assailants, and she begins a relationship with him -- but not all their fellow Minnesotans are happy for them. Meanwhile, the couple face their own difficulties when Caroline finds about Adam's past, including his unique health condition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIntimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972)
18-year-old Ainu is kidnapped and sold to a brothel. Her good looks and wild personality make her very popular with the lustful clients, but also draw the lesbian attentions of brothel madam Chun Yi. Chun Yi teaches Ainu the ways of lust and the ways of kung fu, and Ainu becomes more and more similar to her captor. But rage at her treatment is still burning inside her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Unknown (1927)
On the lam, criminal Alonzo hides in the circus as The Armless Wonder—a performer who uses his feet to hurl knives. Alonzo keeps the arms he really has concealed to hide his identity. Meanwhile, ringmaster's daughter Nanon has a phobia of being touched by men, but is romantically pursued by not only Alonzo but the strongman Malabar. Alonzo's desperation to remain with Nanon will only end in tragedy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRiver of Blood (2024)
Four kayakers take the wrong river into a jungle inhabited by a tribe of merciless cannibals.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016)
A story of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWhite Snake (2019)
One day a young woman named Blanca is saved by Xuan, a snake catcher from a nearby village. As they set off an a journey to discover her real identity, the pair develop feelings for each other.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPortal to Hell (2025)
After a debt-collector finds a portal to hell in a washing machine at his local laundromat, he’s propositioned into feeding it sinners to save his neighbor’s soul, maybe even at the expense of his own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Nanny (1965)
Nanny, a London family's live-in maid, brings morbid 10-year-old Joey back from the psychiatric ward he's been in for two years, since the death of his younger sister. Joey refuses to eat any food Nanny's prepared or take a bath with her in the room. He also demands to sleep in a room with a lock. Joey's parents -- workaholic Bill and neurotic Virgie -- are sure Joey is disturbed, but he may have good reason to be terrified of Nanny.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEO (2022)
The world is a mysterious place when seen through the eyes of an animal. EO, a grey donkey with melancholic eyes, meets good and bad people on his life’s path, experiences joy and pain, endures the wheel of fortune randomly turn his luck into disaster and his despair into unexpected bliss. But not even for a moment does he lose his innocence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisClash by Night (1952)
An embittered woman seeks escape in marriage, only to fall for her husband’s best friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNe Zha (2019)
A young boy is born as the reincarnation of a demonic power, into a society that hates and fears him. Destined by prophecy to bring destruction to the world, Nezha must choose between good and evil to see if he can change his fate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Duke of Burgundy (2015)
Day in and day out, lovers Cynthia and Evelyn enact an elaborate sadomasochistic fantasy as mistress and maid. But as their ritual of domination and submission begins to turn stale, Cynthia yearns for something more conventional, while Evelyn tries to push their taboos even further.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
Like Snake in the Crane's Shadow and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Snake in the Crane's Shadow?
The closest matches to Snake in the Crane's Shadow are Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Flamingo Road (1949) and Legend of the Demon Cat (2017). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Snake in the Crane's Shadow?
Start with Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), the closest match to Snake in the Crane's Shadow.
What is the highest-rated movie like Snake in the Crane's Shadow?
New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021), rated 8.0/10 by 541 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Snake in the Crane's Shadow?
Portal to Hell (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Chinese movies like Snake in the Crane's Shadow?
Yes: Legend of the Demon Cat (2017), The Four 3 (2014) and New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021).
How are movies similar to Snake in the Crane's Shadow chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Snake in the Crane's Shadow, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.